Low shoe.



A. V. OVERALL. LOWSHOE. APPLICATION FILED 1mm, 1913.

* COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH CD" WASHINGTON. n. r.

Patented July 29, 1913.

ll; l

TNT @FFTBE.

LOW SHOE.

incense,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 2, 1913.

Patented July 29, 1913.

Serial No. 739,661.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANNIs V. OVERALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Low Shoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to low shoes, pumps, slippers and the like and consists in providing in the heel portion of the shoe or other article, elastic means for gripping the heel of the wearer in order to prevent the shoe slipping off at the heel.

It is well known that all shoes stretch with wear and become loosened. In boots this looseness can generally be taken up or remedied by tightening the fastening means such as lacings and buttons, but in low shoes the fastening means cannot be so effectively used for this purpose. In slippers and pumps having no fastening means where the fit of the shoe is relied upon to keep them from slipping off, any considerable stretching due to Wear results in the slipper or pump slipping from the heel whenever the wearer walks rapidly or moves quickly. To obviate this result the wearer is apt to select slippers or pumps which are too small in order that when they stretch after wear they will still fit the foot. This causes a certain period of discomfort to be endured until the article has accommodated itself to the foot.

The object of my invention is to provide a shoe having means in the heel-portion for holding the shoe on the heel of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for accomplishing the above purpose which are independent of the shoe and which are not effected by any stretching or enlarging of the shoe due to wear.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of the heelportion of the shoe constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the same.

In the drawings I have shown my invention as applied to that form of low shoe known as pumps and only the heel-portion of the pump is illustrated. The pump, as shown, has an upper or vamp 8, a heel 4, an outer sole 5 and an inner sole 6. In the sectional view is shown a counter 7 in the heel-portion and a lining 8. These parts are all of usual and well known construction.

The preferred embodiment of my invention as shown consists of a flexible band 10 having its ends 11 secured to the inner sur face of the heel-portion of the shoe one on each side of the shoe. The ends may be fastened by stitching or otherwise either to the lining 8 of the shoe or to the counter 7 or other portion. In the drawings the ends are shown as being secured by stitching to an inner piece 9 and the lining is provided with slots 12 through which the band passes. The flexible band 10 is preferably made of elastic or other similar material and is of shorter length than the upper edge of the heel-portion of the shoe so that normally it is some distance away and inside the heelportion of the shoe. By heel-portion as used herein, I mean that portion of the shoe directly over the heel and consisting of the vamp, counter and lining; that is, the upper.

In the use of my invention, the elastic band 10 grips the heel of the wearer firmly as it is necessary to stretch the band in putting on the shoe. This effectually holds the shoe onto the foot at the heel and prevents its slipping off. By using this device a person is not obliged in the first instance to purchase low shoes which are too tight and therefore my invention saves the wearer a considerable period of discomfort and perhaps pain. My invention also tends to improve the fit of the shoe in that it draws the sides inwardly thereby preventing any bulging out of the sides or looseness at the arch of the foot.

It will be observed that my invention is capable of being applied to various forms of low shoes and also to rubbers, and where I employ the term low shoes I intend to include pumps, slippers, rubbers and other forms of low shoes.

My invention may be embodied in various other forms and I desire to claim it broadly within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is 1. A low shoe having an inner piece between its lining and counter, such lining being provided with openings therethrough upon each side of the heel and located near the top thereof, and an elastic band having its ends passing through said openings and secured to such inner piece and arranged to grip the heel of the wearer.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subsoriblng wit- 10 nesses, this the twenty sixth day of Decem- 2. A low shoe having a lining provided With openings therethrough upon each side of the heel and located near the top thereof,

and an elastic band having its ends passing her, 1912.

through said openings and secured to a part ANNIS V. OVERALL. of the shoe located between the lining and Witnesses:

the outside of the shoe and arranged to grip CHARLES F. RICHARDSON,

the heel of the wearer. E. F. UNIAC.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

